Car Chase Ends in Gulfport, St. Petersburg Teens Arrested

A St. Petersburg teen is jailed on six felony charges after police say he led St. Pete officers on a high-speed chase that ended in a crash in Gulfport that injured a driver.

The Gulfport Police Department assisted at the scene of the Saturday crash.

According to the police accident report, 18-year-old John Henry James refused to pull over for a traffic stop by St. Pete Police on 52nd St. S.

James continued to drive north and turned east on 11th Ave S. The suspect's car ran a stop sign and crashed into another car.

The unidentified driver was taken to the hospital. According to the report, airbags deployed, and she had visible bruising. She also told first responders that her left hand hurt.

John James had a passanger with him. Zachary Kyle Baker, 19, of St. Petersburg was also arrested after the crash.

John Henry James was arrested by SPPD on:

• two counts of battery of a law enforcement officer;
•  two counts of resisting an officer with violence;
• aggravated fleeing/eluding scene of a crash;
• fleeing or eluding at high speed with disregard for person or property.

Bail is set at $80,000 total for the six felony charges.

James was also cited by Gulfport Police for driving without a license and failing to yield the right of way.

St. Pete Police arrested Zachary Kyle Baker on charges of

• tampering with physical evidence;
• possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor;
• resisting an officer without violence.

Bail is set at $2,300 total for all three charges.